Warming Up Your Car Is Illegal In Iowa?!

Just days ago, a man in another state received a $128 ticket for leaving his car idling in his driveway. Iowa law says it could happen to you, as well.

Last Thursday, a Michigan man was fined for warming up his vehicle in his own driveway. He was not pleased:

Turns out, it's illegal in Iowa too. The woman in the photo above is fine. As long as you stay in your vehicle, you're legal. However, start it and go back inside, and you're breaking the law.

KIMT reports Iowa code says, "No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine." The main reason seems to be threat of theft. When your vehicle is unattended, it's obviously at a greater risk of being stolen.

Will you get ticketed here in Iowa? We called the Cedar Rapids Police Department and asked about enforcement of the law in Cedar Rapids. They said, typically, it's only enforced when people complain. I'm not going to be the one that tells you no, you won't get ticketed. However, with our friends at CBS 2 forecasting a low temperature of six degrees Thursday night, I'm guessing you'll take your chances Friday morning.